Ended Official BYC Contest - Worst Chicken Molt Pictures - Fall/Winter 2014

[TheSpiceGirls]

Does anyone know why some birds have a bad molt? Do you think its because the are / were ill. Or maybe something like a change in the weather (temp, season etc).

I have chickens for years and none every looked like these pictures. The worst they get is they loose most of their tails for a few weeks.

If they are deprived of food in anyway, it can force them into a hard molt. I've had a situation where we were gone for a week and one hen made another hen's life miserable and kept her away from food. In that short time, she started a hard and ugly molt.

I had another time where I bought one of those treadle feeders. I followed the directions and all the hens got it but one. I figured the one would get on board. But it turns out she was simply terrified of the movement. It forced her into a hard molt too.

 

[roostersandhens]

Got to get pics!!

 

[theoldchick]

Category: Other Breed
Crazy Eyes- 3 1/2 year old Jersey Giant hen

 

[TheBrumstead]

Sprinkles, Barred Rock, taken this morning. Her worst molt yet, she has such tiny wings under all those feathers! Entering "other breeds".

 

[TrinityCreed]

Most of mine are already done, and the two that aren't .... well they're mostly naked XD These pictures make me realize my girls have it easy thusfar. I don't think I've ever seen my Barred Rocks molting, or my Goldens but my poor Australorps look like they sneezed all their feathers off one day. This is hilarious. Poor things

 

[elsfieldchickens]

All other breeds
my legbar hen clucky who has lost her lovely tail!

 

[khawks]

what breed is this? funny expression, looks so shocked

Is that a string attatched to his leg?

 

[MacCana]

Is that a string attatched to his leg?

Yes. A lot of people tether out game breeds. Sometimes due to aggression issues. This keeps them from hurting any other chickens & still have their own space. If I ever had to tie one out (we used to have game birds) I prefer to use wide banded soft leather. The subject itself is a source of disagreement among flock keepers. I hope it isn't heading in that direction or anything

We don't want to get too far off topic

I wish I had my own photo to contribute. My bantam bearded black silky, Frieda went into a hard molt shedding her scraggly old feathers (from poor conditions where I got her) and is now a boufy & poofy as ever. For a good 2-3 weeks though she was almost bald on the top of her head & the tip of her butt. She was one ugly lady lol. I can't wait to see even more pictures! Keep them coming!

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

Category: Other Breed
Crazy Eyes- 3 1/2 year old Jersey Giant hen

Good Golly. That's worse than mine.

 

[sunflour]

OMG!! Those poor chickens..they all need sweat suits til feathers come back in.
No pics to post, mine are all soft molting and cannot hold a candle to these!